Match Review

Samoa coach Matt Parish blooded eight debutants for the international fixture while only two players - Marty Taupau and Bunty Afoa - remained from the last Test match played in 2019. 

After seven losses in their past nine matches, the emergence of young NRL stars Josh Schuster, Izack Tago and Taylan May in recent seasons added flair for the Samoan side while Nofoaluma cashed in on the edge.

Tago and May crossed for early tries on international debut before Nofoaluma scored a double in each half as the Samoans racked up a comfortable lead throughout the evening. 

Carrying on the form that has made him a standout for the Roosters in 2022, Manu ran for 404 metres and had seven tackle breaks as New Zealand made a strong statement ahead of this year's World Cup. 

The emotion of the pre-game Haka and Sipi Tau had barely subsided when Kiwi playmaker Jahrome Hughes stepped ojn the gas from 10 metres out and carried three defenders over with him for the game's opening try.

With a strong wind at their backs to begin the game, the Pride wasted no time going on the attack thanks to an early penalty conceded by the Hunters in the kick-off set.

Suddenly camped on their own goal line, the Hunters looked like they’d defended the set until Pride fullback Julian Christian took possession on the last, feigned a kick to the left and turned back in towards the ruck to link with Matthew Egan in support.

The Hunters’ cover defence couldn’t close the space in time as the Pride halfback opened the scoring with a clever four pointer.

A double to Jake Averillo set up the result as the Bulldogs backed up last week's stirring effort against the Eels to produce five converted tries in the win.

NSW Origin hopefuls Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr were at their best in front of Blues coach Brad Fittler while Averillo's form since switching to fullback continues to surge under interim coach Mick Potter.

The Bulldogs held a 12-6 lead at half-time before Potter's men unleashed with four tries in 18 minutes to set up a comfortable 30-point lead.

A stirring second half performance from the Knights, who fought back from a 14-0 deficit, threatened to snatch the win for the Raiders before Young came up with a grubber for himself to plant the ball down with a minute remaining.

It was a heart-breaking finish for the Knights, who got within reach of victory before Young, who played with Newcastle in his junior days, delivered under pressure to hand the Raiders their seventh win of the season. 

It was a high scoring affair from the outset with both teams exchanging tries but Tumbe had the last laugh with the winning try in the final 10 minutes of the 2^nd half to take out the match.

Before the match, it was quite an emotional moment for late Papa Gurias widow Derrie Nightingale when she presented the jerseys to the players for the first time again in 2 years after her late husband and franchise owner John Nightingale passed away in 2020.

In a complete contrast to their lacklustre performance against the Bulldogs, Parramatta's forwards overpowered their rivals and their backs capitalised as the Eels piled on five razzle dazzle tries.

NSW Origin props Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard carried the ball for more than 200 metres each, while back-rower Ryan Matterson produced five of his side's 21 offloads.

The match was the last for the Warriors before finally returning to New Zealand for an emotional homecoming match against Wests Tigers in two weeks after being forced to stay in Australia since the start of the 2020 premiership due to COVID-19.

In just their second match since Stacey Jones took over the coaching reins from Nathan Brown, the Warriors showed some resolve and improvement on last weekend's 38-16 loss to the Sharks but they were no match for Penrith.

A converted try to Blayke Brailey and 58th minute penalty goal to Nicho Hynes in the second half ensured the Sharks secured their ninth win of the season after both sides were locked at 10-10 after 40 minutes. 

Cronulla were anything but convincing in the victory with a total of 16 errors but Hynes and halves partner Matt Moylan, who scored a try and had a hand in one, did enough to guide the side around the park. 

The victory moves the Sharks in front of the Broncos in fourth spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder ahead of the representative round next week.

Brisbane led 16-6 just before halftime but Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes laid on a try for Melbourne halves partner Cameron Munster and then crossed himself to level the scores before the home side took control after the interval.

Hughes scored a second try in a five-star performance ahead of next Saturday's homecoming Test in Auckland against Tonga as the Storm dominated the second term.